Vehicle seating systems

ABSTRACT

A side facing seat includes a seat back element and a moveable seat base element disposed below the seat back element. The moveable seat base element is moveable at least between a stored position and a seating position. Movement of the moveable seat base element is controlled by an activation element that is configured to engage with a locking mechanism such that the locking mechanism is able to lock the moveable seat base element in the stored position or the seating position.

CROSS-REFERENCED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 as a divisionalof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/027,600 filed on Sep. 21, 2020,which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/903,715 filed on Sep. 20, 2019. Both of theseapplications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods formaintaining the safety of the passengers within the context of avehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Automobile vehicles in general are comprised of many differentstructural and functional components. In some instances, they maygenerally be described in relation to a body or cabin, which aredesigned to enclose the passengers, and the various electrical,mechanical and structural systems, subsystems and components that allowthe vehicle to operate. In traditional automobile design, the body andvarious functional systems and components are inextricably intertwined.For example, mechanical linkages directly interconnect the steering andbrake systems between the wheels and the passenger, and elements such asthe motor, transmission system, and cooling systems are disposed in afront enclosure that extends upward into the body of the vehicle.Additional structural components may serve to house certain functionalelements essential for vehicle operation.

Recent advances in electric motor and battery technologies have madeelectric vehicles practical to manufacture. Electric vehicles have anumber of advantages over conventional internal combustion vehicles,including the dramatically reduced footprint of the drive traincomponents. Further advancements in signal processing and drive-by-wiretechnologies means that it is now possible to produce vehicle platformscontaining all the necessary functional components of a vehicle.However, despite the potential these advancements represent mostelectric vehicles being produced today continue to incorporate designsthat have been traditionally used in internal combustion engines. Thiscan be particularly true for the framework and layout of many of thefeatures including seating elements and the associated safety systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Many embodiments are directed to the seating and seating restraint andsafety systems within the context of a vehicle platform in someembodiments, the seating arrangement and safety systems can beimplemented in an electric vehicle platform. For example, manyembodiments are directed to a vehicle seating system that has:

-   -   at least a first seat having a primary seating element having a        front portion and a rear portion wherein the primary seating        element is connected to a base support structure wherein the        base support structure is connected to a vehicle platform;    -   a seat back element having an elongated body with front side and        a rear side opposite the front side and a connected end and a        disconnected end where the connected end is moveably connected        to the primary seating element and wherein the seat back element        is configurable to at least a first position and a second        position; and    -   a secondary seating element movably connected to at least a        portion of the base support structure and configured to have a        stored position and an open position wherein the stored position        coincides with the first position of the seat back element and        wherein the open position coincides with the second position of        the seat back element, wherein the secondary seating element is        disposed substantially parallel with the back side of seat back        element while in the stored position, and wherein the secondary        seating element is disposed substantially perpendicular to the        connected end of the seatback element while in the open        position.

In other embodiments, the secondary seating element is connected to thebase support structure with at least one hinge element such that thesecondary seating element can rotate between the stored position and theopen position.

In still other embodiments, the secondary seating element is connectedto the base structure with at least two hinge elements.

In yet other embodiments, the vehicle seating system has at least onearm rest movably connected to the vehicle seating system such that anoccupant's arm may be positioned away from a door panel while located onthe arm rest.

In still yet other embodiments, the arm rest has an elongated bodyextending away from the secondary seating element at a substantiallyperpendicular angle forming a flange like element such that when thesecondary seating element is in the open position, a portion of theelongated body that is furthest away from the secondary seating elementforms a first resting surface and when the secondary seating element isin the closed position the a side portion of the elongated body forms asecond resting surface.

In other embodiments, the secondary seating element is removablyconnected to the base support structure.

In still other embodiments, the arm rest is rotatably connected to aside portion of the seat back element and wherein the arm rest has anelongated body with an attached end and a free end wherein the free endcan rotate about an axis located at the attached end such that the armrest can be rotated from the front to the back of the at least firstseat such that it can serve as an arm rest for during the first orsecond position.

In yet other embodiments, the seat back element has an archedconfiguration such that the elongated body forms an arch between theconnected end and the disconnected end.

In still yet other embodiments, the vehicle seating system has more thanone arm rest.

In other embodiments, the vehicle seating system has an occupantposition sensor disposed within the primary and the secondary seatingelements and wherein the occupant position sensor is connected to avehicle lock out system such that when the secondary seating element isin the open position and the respective occupant position sensor detectsthe presence of an occupant the vehicle lock out system will be engagedand prevent movement of a vehicle.

In still other embodiments, a side facing seat wherein the side facingseat has a back rest and a base seat that is movably connected to theback rest.

Other embodiments are directed to a side facing seat with a seat backelement; and a moveable seat base element disposed below the seat backand wherein the moveable seat base element can be moved at least betweena stored position and a seating position, and wherein the movement ofthe seat base element is controlled by an activation element thatengages with a locking mechanism such that the locking mechanism canlock the seat base element in the stored position or the seatingposition.

In yet other embodiments, the moveable seat base element movesrotationally between the stored position and the seating position.

In still yet other embodiments, the side facing seat has at least onesliding rail connected to a bottom portion of the seat base element suchthat the movement of the seat base element is a sliding motion such thatthe seat base element slides between the at least stored position andthe seating position.

In other embodiments, the side facing seat has a plurality of slidingrails.

In still other embodiments, the at least one sliding rail ismanufactured of a material selected from a group consisting of aluminum,extruded aluminum, and steel.

In yet other embodiments, the seat back element is connected to aninterior face of a door panel of a vehicle and wherein the door panel ofthe vehicle comprises an exterior face with an internal cavity disposedbetween the interior face and the exterior face with an open end on theinterior face, and wherein the seat base element is configured to slideinto and out of the internal cavity such that in the stored position asubstantial portion of the seat base element is disposed within theinternal cavity, and wherein in the seating portion all of the seat baseelement is disposed out of the internal cavity.

In still yet other embodiments, the side facing seat has a structuralsupport element disposed beneath the seat base element and connected tothe interior face of the door.

In other embodiments, the activation device is a level with an elongatedbody having a button end and an engagement end, wherein the engagementend engages with a portion of the locking mechanism such that theactivation device can move the locking mechanism between a locked andunlocked position, button connected to a lever wherein the lever isconfigured to engage with the locking mechanism and move the lockingmechanism between a locked and unlocked position.

In still other embodiments, the side facing seat has a first and secondresilient member, wherein the first resilient member is connected to theengagement device and configured to allow the movement of the engagementdevice between an active and inactive position, and wherein secondresilient member is connected to the locking mechanism and is configuredto allow the movement of the locking mechanism between the locked andunlocked position.

In yet other embodiments, the activation device is an electronicactivation device electronically connected to the locking mechanism.

In still yet other embodiments, the locking mechanism is a locking pindevice.

In other embodiments, the side facing seat has a movement assistmechanism disposed beneath the seat base element and configured toassist the movement of the seat base element between the at least storedand seating position.

In still other embodiments, the movement assist mechanism is a hydraulicpiston.

In yet other embodiments, the movement assist mechanism is a drive gearconnected to a drive motor wherein the motor is configured to drive thegear between the at least stored position and the seating position.

In still yet other embodiments, the movable seat base element rotatesbetween the stored position and the seating position.

Other embodiments are directed to an electric vehicle with a seatingsystem in accordance with the numerous embodiments described herein.

Additional embodiments and features are set forth in part in thedescription that follows, and in part will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art upon examination of the specification or may belearned by the practice of the disclosure. A further understanding ofthe nature and advantages of the present disclosure may be realized byreference to the remaining portions of the specification and thedrawings, which forms a part of this disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description will be more fully understood with reference to thefollowing figures, which are presented as exemplary embodiments of theinvention and should not be construed as a complete recitation of thescope of the invention, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates various seating systems in accordance with known art.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate views of a vehicle in accordance withembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a vehicle seating system inaccordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 4A through 4G illustrate a seating element in accordance withembodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 5A through 5C illustrate a seating element with a modular rearseat in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate views of a modular seating element inaccordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 7A illustrates a side facing seating element in accordance withembodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 7B through 7D illustrate different positions of a side facing seatin accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 7E through 7G illustrate a cross sectional view of a side seat inaccordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 7H illustrates a bottom view of a side seat in accordance withembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of a vehicle seating system in accordancewith embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of front seating elements inaccordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a process flow of occupant seating detection systemsin accordance with embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning now to the drawings, many embodiments a number of differentseating systems that improve the overall function and design of thevehicle seating. For example, many embodiments include a passenger seatwith a base seat or platform that has a back seating support that isconnected to the base seat. The back support can have multiple positionsand many embodiments may include a secondary seat base that is connectedto the back support and can fold down to form the base of a rear facingseat. In conjunction with the base for the rear facing seat, the backrest can be rotated such that it serves as a back support for the rearfacing seat. Thus, the passenger seat can have a front facing and a rearfacing configuration without significant movement or adjustment to thesupport of the overall seat. In many embodiments, the passenger seatsmay include a number of different sensors and alternative systems thatcan detect the occupancy of a seat such a number of different safety andalert systems can be activated and/or engaged. In some embodiments, theseating configurations may include a side facing seat. The side facingseat, in accordance with numerous embodiments can be engaged ordisengaged by folding and/or rotating into an open position for seating.Additionally, many embodiments include systems and methods designed toprevent the vehicle from moving when certain conditions are met.

Traditional vehicles, to include some electric vehicles tend to use amore traditional style seating arrangement and seating systems that aredesigned to provide comfort and safety to the vehicle occupants. Forexample, traditional vehicles tend to follow a front and rear vehiclelayout with a front and rear passenger space that is often confined bythe more traditional front engine compartment and a rear trunk space.Many modern vehicles also have a variety of safety features includingpassenger airbags and safety restraints. Additionally, some vehiclesinclude a number of other safety mechanisms and methods that can controlor prevent the movement of a vehicle in the event of an imminentcollision.

As the development of vehicles have evolved, with the inclusion ofelectric vehicles, so have the various types of seats and seatingarrangements within vehicles. For example, some seating designs thathave allowed for adjustability have included electronic motors oractuators that can adjust a number of different positions of a seat suchas the lumbar support, the position of the seat with respect to thesteering wheel or steering mechanism as well as side to side and tiltadjustments. All of such adjustments can be used to improve the overallcomfort of the passenger and/or driver of the vehicle. Additionally,with the evolution of vehicles have come different designs in how seatscan be positioned within a vehicle. For example, FIG. 1 illustratesvarious designs of seats within a vehicle based on known art. Some seatsmay be configured to swivel 102 in their entirety where the wholeportion of the chair or seat rotates around to be mostly rear facing.Other seat designs have shown to have a moveable back rest 104 thatpivots from one side of the seat 106 to the next at a central pivotpoint 108, offering alternative seating positions. Some vehicle seatingdesigns have offered fold down seating pieces 109 that are affixed to arigid bulkhead element 110 where the bulk head element 110 can serve asa back rest as well as a support. Despite the different designs ofvarious manufactures, many still fail to take advantage of the uniquefeatures that can be afforded through an electric vehicle platform.Furthermore, many such prior art seating configurations tend to be bulkyand require a lot of room to adjust. Others, while simple, tend to beimpractical for full scale implementation. Still some designs, such asthe bulk head support can be uncomfortable and offer little to noadjustability to improve comfort. In contrast, many embodimentsdescribed herein offer a low mass, easily adjustable, space savingconfiguration that can improve the ability for occupants to occupy arear facing position within a vehicle without compromising the spatialintegrity of the vehicle. Moreover, many embodiments offer modularitysuch that the seating configuration within a vehicle can have a numberof different layouts and still include all of the fundamental andnecessary safety features of a modern vehicle.

Turning now to the figures many vehicles 200 as illustrated in FIGS. 2Aand 2B may be adaptable to a variety of different seating configurationssuch that the interior of the vehicle cabin can be open and spacious.For example, FIG. 3 illustrates an interior view of a vehicle 300 withwhat may appear to be a traditional front 302 and rear 304 seatingarrangement that is positioned behind a steering mechanism 306. However,some embodiments may incorporate a non-traditional side facing seat 308.Although a more traditional seating configuration may be illustrated,many embodiments can take advantage of an electric vehicle platform 310that does not have a traditional front engine compartment or thetraditional trunk space in the rear. Accordingly, many embodiments canposition the front seats 302 more forward in the vehicle and thusprovide a more open rear portion for the rear seats 304 and the sidefacing seat 308. Additionally, many embodiments can have front seats 302with alternative configurations that can further open the cabin andseating configuration.

The various embodiments described herein illustrate a vehicle seatingarrangement that improve the overall comfort and modularity of vehicleseating layouts. While the current disclosure may divide many of thefunctional and structural elements of seating systems into individualsections for clarity, it will be understood that vehicle seatingarrangement and individual seating systems, according to embodiments maycombine, include or omit any of the described elements as desired by aspecific vehicle design.

Embodiments of Seats

FIGS. 4A through 4H, for example, illustrates passenger seats 402 for avehicle that can be configured with multiple seating positions as wellas contain multiple integrated safety system sensors and/or switchesthat can be activated in response to the various seating positions.FIGS. 4A through 4C illustrate side and front views of a passenger seat400 with a base seating element 402 and a back rest 404 in accordancewith many embodiments. Some embodiments of a vehicle seat may alsocontain an upright head rest 406. Although such basic seating componentsare relatively known in the art, many embodiments of a vehicle seat mayalso contain a connected secondary seating base 408 that is connected tothe overall seat 400. In accordance with some embodiments, the vehicleseat may also contain one or more occupant position sensors 410 that canbe located within the primary or secondary or both seat bases of theoverall seat 400. An occupant sensor can be used in a number ofdifferent ways to help ensure the ultimate safety of the vehicle andoccupants is maintained. This can be done by preventing use of thesecondary seat base 408 when an occupant positioned in or using theprimary seat base 402. Additionally, the occupant sensor in thesecondary seat base 408 can be used to prevent movement of the vehiclewhen the secondary seat base 408 is in use. Many embodiments of a seat400 may also include more traditional seating elements such as lumbarsupport systems 412, safety restraint latches 414 as wells as seatadjustment mechanism 416. The seat adjustment mechanisms can be used toadjust the seat in the traditional sense of up, down, forward, andbackward as well as tilt. In many embodiments seat adjustment mechanismscan also be adapted to control the movement of the seat back 404 betweenthe front and rear facing configurations.

Turning now to FIGS. 4D through 4G various seating configurations of aseat 400 can be illustrated. For example. FIG. 4D illustrates a seat 400in a front facing configuration (FIG. 4D), where the back support 404 ispositioned in a more upright position such that an occupant may sit onthe primary seating element 402 while the secondary seating element 408is in an upright position and is configured substantially parallel withthe back rest 404. In numerous embodiments, the secondary seat element408 can be moved into an engaged position, as illustrated in FIG. 4E.The secondary seat element 408 can be moved into position by arotational movement in some embodiments, while other embodiments may usea sliding mechanism to move the secondary seat element into a seatingposition. In addition to the movement of the secondary seating element408, many embodiments may incorporate the movement of the back rest 404.The back rest 404 can be moved or rotated towards the front of the seat400 such that it can also serve as a back rest for an occupant seated inthe secondary seating element. Thus, the seat can have two differentconfigurations in which the back rest serves both front and rear facingpositions. In accordance with many embodiments, the back rest may beconfigured with cushion elements on both the front 418 and the rear 420portions of the back rest 404. In accordance with some embodiments, theseat 400 may be configured with one or more arm rests 422 that can bepositioned for the front facing position (FIG. 4F) or the rear facing(FIG. 4G). As can be appreciated the arm rest 422 can rotate and besecured in a number of different positions such that it can serve as anarm rest for a forward and a rearward facing configuration of the seat400. It can also be appreciated that the seat 400 may be configured withmore than one arm rest and that the arm rest 422 can be removed asneeded or desired. Traditional vehicles place the more external driverand passenger arm rests within the door panel. This tends to place theoccupant in close contact with the actual door panel which could posepotential risk to the occupant in the event of a side impact.Accordingly, many embodiments that may incorporate an arm rest configurethe arm rest to be connected to the seating element in some fashion.This can improve the overall safety of the occupant by positioning themfurther from the door in the event of a side impact.

Seats, as described above can take on any number of configurations andmay be adapted for a driver or passenger position within a vehicle.Additionally, in some embodiments the secondary seat element asdescribed above can take on any number of configurations. For example,FIGS. 5A through 5C illustrate a vehicle seat 500 with a base frame unit502 that has a seat portion 504 and a back rest portion 506. The baseframe 502 can have a number of different attachment points 508 that canbe used to connect the base frame 502 to a support structure 510 or tothe rear seating element 512.

The rear seating element 512, in accordance with various embodiments,can be connected to the base frame 502 with a hinge element 514. Thehinge element 514 can allow the rear seating element 512 move from anupright position (FIG. 5B) to a seating position. Moreover, the hingeelement can take on any number of forms. For example, as illustrated inFIGS. 5B and 5C, the hinge element 514 can be laterally attached to thebase frame 502. In numerous embodiments, the hinge element 514 may be ahorizontal based hinge that is attached laterally across the width ofthe base frame 502. Although a specific hinge element is illustrated, itcan be appreciated that any number of hinges can be used such that therear seating element 512 can be moved from one position to another.

In addition to the various configurations of hinged elements or moveableconnections between the base frame 502 and the rear seating element 512,some embodiments of a vehicle seat may incorporate a rear seatingelement 512 with an integrated arm rest 516. The integrated arm rest 516can be advantageous in that only a single element is needed for the seat500 when it is in either the front or rear facing positions. It can beappreciated that the rear seating element 512 and integrated seatingelement 516 can take on any number of different configurations and ordesigns that may be suitable for the various vehicle configurations.Furthermore, it can be appreciated that the hinged element 514 can allowfor the easy removal of the rear seating element 512 such that it can berepaired and/or replaced with a new or updated design or a repairedelement. Such modularity can be advantageous form a maintenancestandpoint as well as a cost savings for potential users. Rather thanhave to repair or replace the entire seat 500 individual elements suchas the rear seating element 412 and the back rest 506 can be removed andreplaced as needed, thus minimizing the overall cost of repairs.

As previously discussed, vehicle seating and seating elements can takeon a number of different configurations. For example, FIGS. 6A and 6Billustrate alternative seating configurations for a front eat with rearfacing seat from those previously illustrated. FIGS. 6A and 68illustrate a vehicle seat 600 where two seat elements 602 that areinterconnected on a single support structure 604. Similar to varioussingle seat embodiments, dual seat embodiments as illustrated in FIGS.6A and 6B may be configured with seat back elements 606 that can rotatebetween a front and a rear facing position. It can be appreciated thatthe seat back 606 can take on any number of designs such as an archedtype design as illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B. The arched shape of aseat back 606 can be advantageous for many embodiments because a convexside 608 can serve as the back support for the rear facing position. Ascan be illustrated the seat back 606 can be rotated such that it leansover a primary seating element 609 when in a rear facing position.Alternatively, the concave side 610 can serve as an appropriate backsupport for a front facing position. Although not illustrated in FIGS.6A and 6B it can be appreciated that the seat back element 606 can berotated such that the convex side is leaning towards the rear of theseat 600 such that it might provide an adequate back support for anoccupant in the primary seating element.

Additionally, as with many embodiments described herein, the rearseating element 612 can be positioned in a seating position and/or astorage position. Illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B the rear seatingelement 612 is positioned in an open configuration that would besuitable to use the seat as a rear facing seat. As illustrated inprevious figures, the rear seating element can be rotated or moved intoa stored position such that it can prevent intrusion into the rearoccupant space of a vehicle. In numerous embodiments, the rear seatingelement 612 of one seat can be stored while the other is in a seatingposition. Moreover, since many embodiments may be configured with armrests 614 that may be moveable connected or may be stationary, it can beappreciated that the arm rests may take on any number of differentforms. For example, FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate an embodiment of a seat600 with armrests 614 that are integrated with or continuous with a seatframe element 616. In some embodiments the integrated arm rests 614 maybe movable or rotatable similar to those illustrated previously.Additionally, it can be appreciated that the position of and movabilityof the arm resets, in accordance with some embodiments, can allow forimproved ingress and egress from the vehicle. In numerous embodimentsthe seat frame element may also have integrated controls and safetyelements such as seatbelt attachment points and/or other safety sensorsand switches. Furthermore, as can be appreciated many embodiments of therear seating element may incorporate a release mechanism that can allowfor the complete removal of the rear seating element from the overallseat 600. This can allow for increased modularity of the seat design aswell as provide for greater adaptability. For example, as can be readilyappreciated, seating elements and various seating components can bemanufactured with any number of materials including, but not limited to,metal, plastic, foam, cloth, leather, etc. Additionally, many componentscan be made of any desirable color or configuration. Accordingly, it canbe advantageous to have a modular seat design such that individualelements such as the rear seating element 612, the seat back 606, and orthe arm rests 614 can be removed or exchanged for different componentsof different colors or designs for a more customized appearance andfeel.

The various embodiments described herein illustrate vehicle seatingsystems and elements that improve the overall comfort and modularity ofvehicle seating. While the current disclosure may divide many of thefunctional and structural elements of seating systems, it will beunderstood that any seating element described, according to embodimentsmay combine, include or omit any of the described elements as desired bya specific vehicle design.

Embodiments of a Side-Facing Seat

Modularity and adaptability of the various components of a vehicleseating design can be advantageous from a variety of standpoints.Numerous embodiments of a vehicle seating design offer improvedadaptability to be able to accommodate additional passengers whenneeded. For example. FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a rear seatingdesign 700 that incorporates a side facing seat 702. The side facingseat 702 can be an extension of the existing rear seat 704 such that aback support 706 is substantially continuous with the rear back support708. Additionally, the side facing seat 702 can have a movable seat base710 that can be configured in a number of different positions such thatthe top portion is substantially level with the rear seat base 712. Itcan be appreciated that the movement of the seat base 710 can be done ina number of different ways such as folding, rotating, sliding etc. tolocate the seat base 710 into position. In numerous embodiments the sidefacing seat 702 can also be equipped with various safety devices such asa seat belt restraint latch 714 as well as any number of sensors. Insome embodiments, the side facing seat may be an integral part of avehicle door panel 716. In many embodiments, the side facing seat 702can be folded into a stored position when not in use. Other embodimentscan allow for the side facing seat 702 to be removed completely ratherthan stored an easily reattached when additional occupant space isrequired.

As was previously discussed the movement of the seat base can be done ina number of different methods such as folding, rotating, sliding, etc.such that the seat base 710 can be moved into the desired position. Forexample, FIGS. 7B through 7G illustrate a side seat 702 with differentconfigurations such as a stored position (7B and 7E) to a fully extendedposition (7D and 7G) as well as a design position (7C and 7F). Althoughcertain positions are illustrated, it should be understood that the seatbase 710 can be placed in a number of different positions in a number ofembodiments. In accordance with numerous embodiments, the side seat 702can be connected to a door panel 716 of a vehicle. Accordingly, the seatbase 710 of the side facing seat 702 can be moved into a stored positionsuch that the front face of the seat base 718 is offset from the frontface of the rear seat 719. Additionally, such configuration can providefor a portion of the seat base 710 to be stored or located within acavity 720 of the door panel 716. When the seat base 710 is in a storedposition, it can be appreciated that egress and ingress of the vehiclecan be made easier since the seat base 710 is not extended and in theway of an occupant that is entering the vehicle.

In many embodiments, the seat base 710 of the side seat 702 can havewhat can be considered a design position as illustrated in FIGS. 7C and7F. In the design configuration the seat base 710 can be moved into aposition such that the front face 718 is continuous with the front face719 of the main rear seat 712. Accordingly, such embodiments orpositions can provide for a more aesthetic appearance in the rear seatconfiguration. Although the design configuration may appear to beaesthetic, it could be appreciated that an occupant could use suchconfiguration to sit if needed.

As can be appreciated, the rear seat 702 can be configured to allow anoccupant to fully occupy the seat 702 during a stationary position aswell as while moving. As such, many embodiments may allow for the seatbase 710 to be moved into a deployed position as illustrated in FIGS. 7Dand 7G. In a deployed position, the seat base is extended such that thefull seat base 710 is exposed and the front face 718 is offset from thefront face of the rear seat 719. As such, an occupant can safely utilizethe seat and access the various safety devices while using the seat. Ascan be further appreciated the side seat 702 can be moved from oneposition to the other based on the desired position. This can be furtherillustrated by the bi-directional arrows in FIGS. 7E to 7G.

Since various embodiments allow for the side seat to be moved between astored and a deployed position, it can be appreciated that a number ofdifferent methods and/or mechanisms can be employed to move the seatfrom one position to the other. For example, FIG. 7H illustrates an openbottom view of a side seat base 710. In many embodiments the seat base710 can be situated on a support element 722 that is connected to one ormore rails 724 that can allow for the seat base 710 to slide in and outof the number of different positions. Additionally, many embodiments mayincorporate a locking mechanism that can have multiple parts. Forexample, many embodiments may have a locking lever 726 that is fixed tothe seat 710 and moves with the movement of the seat 710. Suchembodiments may also incorporate a fixed element 727 that may have amultiple holes 728 that can engage with corresponding teeth on thelocking lever. As can be appreciated, the locking mechanism 726 can beactivated by an activation device 730 such as a lever with a button orpad 731 that an occupant can engage with. In some embodiments, theactivation device 730 can be a push button or any device that canactively engage with the locking mechanism 726 to allow the movement ofthe locking mechanism. Additionally, both the locking mechanism 726 andthe activation device 730 can have one or more resilient members 732such as a spring that can allow for the respective component to movebetween an initial and an engagement position. Such resilient member 732can be positioned around a central pivot point 734 or may be positionedanywhere along the respective component to afford the desired movementand subsequent engagement.

Although a specific configurations of a side facing seat with thevarious components that allow the movement of such are illustrated, itshould be understood that any combination of materials, components,and/or designs can be used in a number of embodiments. For example, someembodiments may use extruded aluminum in the manufacturing of thevarious structural elements such as the slides or rails 724. Otherembodiments may use steel or any other material that may be suitable forthe form, fit, and function of the side facing seat. Additionally, someembodiments may use any number of different activation devices andlocking mechanisms. For example, some embodiments may us electronicactivation devices that can electronically activate a locking mechanismto lock the seat in to position. Such devices can include switches thatactivate the locking device. Likewise, some embodiments may use lockingpins or other type of locking mechanisms rather than a rotating lever.Furthermore, many embodiments may use one or more assistant type devicesto help move the seat along the rails. For example, some embodiments mayuse a hydraulic piston type device and/or a spring or resilient element.Other embodiments can use some type of drive system such as a gear driveand a motor connected to the rails and/or seat base such that the drivesystem can move the seat base in and out of the various positions asdescribed previously.

The various embodiments described herein illustrate a side facing seatdevice along with various elements that improve the overall comfort andmodularity of side facing seat. While the current disclosure may dividemany of the functional and structural elements of side facing seats, itwill be understood that any element described, according to embodimentsmay combine, include or omit any of the described elements as desired bya specific seating design.

Embodiments of Safety Elements

As can be readily appreciated, modern vehicles require a substantialnumber of safety features designed to protect the vehicle occupants inthe event of a crash. Previously mentioned were things such as sensorsor switches designed to help control the movement of the vehicle.Accordingly, many embodiments of vehicle seating elements describedherein can be configured with any number of sensors and or switches thatcan be connected to a number of different vehicle safety systems to helpnotify a driver as well as prevent vehicle movement. For example, FIG. 8illustrates a top view of a vehicle passenger compartment 800 with afront seating system 802 and a rear seating system 804. The rear seatingsystem 804 may be equipped with a side facing seat 806 similar toembodiments previously described. Accordingly, the novel side facingseat 806 may require an occupant detection sensor 808 placed somewherein the seating element. Occupant detection sensors have been used inmany vehicle designs to indicate the use or deactivation of things suchas airbags that can help prevent injury to the occupant. Accordingly,side facing seats 806 can use similar sensors to indicate to a driverwhether the side facing seat 806 is in an open position and whether ornot it is occupied. Furthermore, the driver could be alerted to theactivation or inactivation of the safety restraint device. This can helpdriver's be more aware of occupant positioning before moving thevehicle. Additionally, many sensors and switches can be integrated intoa larger vehicle lockout system that can prevent the overall vehiclefrom moving if occupants are detected but not safely in a position tomove. It can be readily appreciated that rear seats 810 can also beequipped with occupant detection sensors 808.

Not only can rear and side seats be equipped with a number of sensors todetect occupants, front seats can take on any number of differentconfigurations that may require a different subset of sensors and/orlockout mechanisms. For example, FIG. 9 illustrates perspective views offront seats 900 with a number of different sensors to help improveoccupant safety and/or comfort. For example some embodiments may includeoccupant position sensors 902 similar to those described in FIG. 8 .Other seats 900 may include heating elements 904 that can be activatedwhen the occupant position sensor 902 registers that an occupant ispositioned in the seat 900. Additionally, many embodiments can includesafety restraint latches 906 that have separate sensors to indicate theuse or not of the latch. In many embodiments the rear seat element 908can be equipped with an occupant detection sensor. The occupantdetection sensor can be subsequently connected to an overall vehiclelockout system such that when the rear seat element 908 is opened and/oroccupied that the vehicle can be prevented from moving. This can be tiedto mechanical locking mechanisms or electrical lockouts that preventelectrical circuits from closing and activating drive systems. Althoughnot illustrated, it can be appreciated that many seating elements can beequipped with one or more additional safety devices such as restraintsand/or airbags that can be deployed in a number of ways to protect theoccupant.

As can be appreciated with the numerous systems and sensors that can beinvolved in the various seating systems, FIG. 10 illustrates anembodiment of a system process by which some embodiments may engage avehicle lockout or notification system. For example, occupant sensorscan detect the position of an occupant (1002). If no occupant isdetected (1004) then a number of vehicle engagement systems can bedeactivated (1006). Some engagement systems can include vehicle lockoutsystems or driver notification systems. If an occupant is detected(1008) then the various engagement systems can be activated (1009). Insome embodiments, the system may look to see if the rear facing seat isactivated or placed in an open position (1010). If the rear facing seatis open (1011) then the vehicle safety interlock can be engaged (1012)and prevent the vehicle from moving or engaging the drive system. Inaddition to the vehicle interlock system, an opened rear facing seat canactivate visual indicator (1014) such as an illuminated light or even anotification on a mobile device. Other indicators could include audibleindicators that can be used in conjunction with visual indicators tonotify the driver that the vehicle interlock system is engaged and thedrive system is disengaged. Alternatively, if the rear facing seat isnot open (1016) then the interlock system can be prevented from engagingand allow the drive system to engage (1018). Similar to the visualand/or audible indicators for the open position, visual and/or audiblego indicators can be activated (1020) to notify the driver that it issafe to operate the vehicle. Although the process is described withrespect to the rear facing seat, it should be understood that suchprocesses may be used for other seating elements such as a side facingseat or rear seats according to various embodiments.

The various embodiments described herein illustrate vehicle seatingsystems and integrated safety systems that can improve the overallcomfort and modularity of vehicle seating. While the current disclosuremay divide many of the functional, structural, and safety elements ofseating systems, it will be understood that any seating elementdescribed, according to embodiments may combine, include or omit any ofthe described elements as desired by a specific vehicle design

Summary & Doctrine of Equivalents

As can be inferred from the above discussion, the above-mentionedconcepts can be implemented in a variety of arrangements in accordancewith embodiments of the invention. Specifically, many embodimentsinclude an electric vehicle positioned to take advantage of thepotential extra space in such vehicles that do not require bulkyinternal combustion engines. Accordingly, many embodiments alternativeseating arrangements and associated vehicle safety mechanisms. Achievingsuch functionality, according to embodiments, involves theimplementation of special arrangements/designs between subsystemsdescribed above, and their equivalents.

Accordingly, although the present invention has been described incertain specific aspects, many additional modifications and variationswould be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is therefore to beunderstood that the present invention may be practiced otherwise thanspecifically described. Thus, embodiments of the present inventionshould be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive.

What is claimed is:
 1. A side facing seat comprising: a seat backelement; and a moveable seat base element disposed below the seat backelement, wherein the moveable seat base element is moveable at leastbetween a stored position and a seating position, and wherein movementof the moveable seat base element is controlled by an activation elementthat is configured to engage with a locking mechanism such that thelocking mechanism is able to lock the moveable seat base element in thestored position or the seating position; wherein the seat back elementis configured to be connected to an interior face of a vehicle doorpanel having an exterior face with an internal cavity that (i) isdisposed between the interior face and the exterior face and (ii) has anopen end on the interior face; and wherein the moveable seat baseelement is configured to slide into and out of the internal cavity suchthat (i) in the stored position, a substantial portion of the moveableseat base element is disposed within the internal cavity and (ii) in theseating position, all of the moveable seat base element is disposed outof the internal cavity.
 2. The side facing seat of claim 1, furthercomprising: at least one sliding rail connected to a bottom portion ofthe moveable seat base element such that the movement of the moveableseat base element is a sliding motion between the stored position andthe seating position.
 3. The side facing seat of claim 2, wherein theside facing seat comprises a plurality of sliding rails.
 4. The sidefacing seat of claim 2, wherein the at least one sliding rail comprisesat least one of aluminum, extruded aluminum, or steel.
 5. The sidefacing seat of claim 1, further comprising: a structural support elementdisposed beneath the moveable seat base element and configured to beconnected to the interior face of the vehicle door panel.
 6. The sidefacing seat of claim 1, wherein the activation element comprises a leverconfigured to engage with a portion of the locking mechanism such thatthe activation element is configured to move the locking mechanismbetween a locked position and an unlocked position.
 7. The side facingseat of claim 1, wherein the activation element comprises an electronicactivation device electronically connected to the locking mechanism. 8.The side facing seat of claim 1, further comprising: a movement assistmechanism disposed beneath the moveable seat base element and configuredto assist the movement of the moveable seat base element between thestored position and the seating position.
 9. The side facing seat ofclaim 8, wherein the movement assist mechanism comprises a hydraulicpiston.
 10. A side facing seat comprising: a seat back element; and amoveable seat base element disposed below the seat back element, whereinthe moveable seat base element is moveable at least between a storedposition and a seating position, and wherein movement of the moveableseat base element is controlled by an activation element that isconfigured to engage with a locking mechanism such that the lockingmechanism is able to lock the moveable seat base element in the storedposition or the seating position; wherein the activation elementcomprises a lever configured to engage with a portion of the lockingmechanism such that the activation element is configured to move thelocking mechanism between a locked position and an unlocked position;wherein the side facing seat further comprises first and secondresilient members; wherein the first resilient member is connected tothe activation element and is configured to allow movement of theactivation element between an active position and an inactive position;and wherein the second resilient member is connected to the lockingmechanism and is configured to allow movement of the locking mechanismbetween the locked position and the unlocked position.
 11. The sidefacing seat of claim 10, wherein the moveable seat base element isconfigured to move rotationally between the stored position and theseating position.
 12. The side facing seat of claim 10, wherein: theseat back element is configured to be connected to an interior face of avehicle door panel having an exterior face with an internal cavity that(i) is disposed between the interior face and the exterior face and (ii)has an open end on the interior face; and the moveable seat base elementis configured to slide into and out of the internal cavity such that (i)in the stored position, a substantial portion of the moveable seat baseelement is disposed within the internal cavity and (ii) in the seatingposition, all of the moveable seat base element is disposed out of theinternal cavity.
 13. A side facing seat comprising: a seat back element;and a moveable seat base element disposed below the seat back element,wherein the moveable seat base element is moveable at least between astored position and a seating position, and wherein movement of themoveable seat base element is controlled by an activation element thatis configured to engage with a locking mechanism such that the lockingmechanism is able to lock the moveable seat base element in the storedposition or the seating position; wherein the activation elementcomprises an electronic activation device electronically connected tothe locking mechanism; and wherein the locking mechanism comprises alocking pin device.
 14. A side facing seat comprising: a seat backelement; a moveable seat base element disposed below the seat backelement, wherein the moveable seat base element is moveable at leastbetween a stored position and a seating position, and wherein movementof the moveable seat base element is controlled by an activation elementthat is configured to engage with a locking mechanism such that thelocking mechanism is able to lock the moveable seat base element in thestored position or the seating position; and a movement assist mechanismdisposed beneath the moveable seat base element and configured to assistthe movement of the moveable seat base element between the storedposition and the seating position; wherein the movement assist mechanismcomprises a drive gear connected to a drive motor; and wherein the drivemotor is configured to drive the drive gear between the stored positionand the seating position.
 15. A system comprising: an electric vehicle;and a side facing seat within the electric vehicle, the side facing seatcomprising: a seat back element; and a moveable seat base elementdisposed below the seat back element, wherein the moveable seat baseelement is moveable at least between a stored position and a seatingposition, and wherein movement of the moveable seat base element iscontrolled by an activation element that is configured to engage with alocking mechanism such that the locking mechanism is able to lock themoveable seat base element in the stored position or the seatingposition; wherein the seat back element is connected to an interior faceof a door panel of the electric vehicle, the door panel having anexterior face with an internal cavity that is disposed between theinterior face and the exterior face, the internal cavity having an openend on the interior face; and wherein the moveable seat base element isconfigured to slide into and out of the internal cavity such that (i) inthe stored position, a substantial portion of the moveable seat baseelement is disposed within the internal cavity and (ii) in the seatingposition, all of the moveable seat base element is disposed out of theinternal cavity.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the side facingseat further comprises at least one sliding rail connected to a bottomportion of the moveable seat base element such that the movement of themoveable seat base element is a sliding motion between the storedposition and the seating position.
 17. The system of claim 15, wherein:the electric vehicle further comprises a rear seat; the moveable seatbase element is moveable between the stored position, the seatingposition, and a design position; and in the design position, a frontface of the moveable seat base element is continuous with a front faceof the rear seat.
 18. The system of claim 15, wherein the activationelement comprises a lever configured to engage with a portion of thelocking mechanism such that the activation element is configured to movethe locking mechanism between a locked position and an unlockedposition.
 19. The system of claim 18, wherein: the side facing seatfurther comprises first and second resilient members; the firstresilient member is connected to the activation element and isconfigured to allow movement of the activation element between an activeposition and an inactive position; and the second resilient member isconnected to the locking mechanism and is configured to allow movementof the locking mechanism between the locked position and the unlockedposition.
 20. The system of claim 15, wherein the activation elementcomprises an electronic activation device electronically connected tothe locking mechanism.
 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the lockingmechanism comprises a locking pin device.
 22. The system of claim 15,wherein the side facing seat further comprises a movement assistmechanism disposed beneath the moveable seat base element and configuredto assist the movement of the moveable seat base element between thestored position and the seating position.
 23. The system of claim 22,wherein the movement assist mechanism comprises a hydraulic piston. 24.The system of claim 22, wherein: the movement assist mechanism comprisesa drive gear connected to a drive motor; and the drive motor isconfigured to drive the drive gear between the stored position and theseating position.